July 10, 2007

WILLIAM PATERSON'S ALBIES ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT

LED PIONEERS TO NATIONAL BASEBALL TITLES IN 1992 AND 1996

Jeff Albies, who coached two national championship teams and is eighth all time in Division III victories, has announced his retirement after 33 years as the head baseball coach and associate athletic director at William Paterson University.

Achieving a 862-401-15 (.680) record during his 33 seasons, Albies led the Pioneers to the 1992 and 1996 NCAA Division III national championships, six NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional titles (1982, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1999) and the 1985 NCAA South Atlantic Regional crown. Seven times a participant in the College World Series (1982, 1985, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1999), William Paterson qualified for the NCAA Tournament 18 times during Albies’ tenure (1977, 1981-89, 1991-93, 1995-99) and won 11 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) championships (1982-83, 1986-89, 1991-93, 1996-97).

“Jeff was a consummate coach,” said Arnold Speert, William Paterson University President.  “Nothing was more important than his players and the integrity of the baseball program. The success of his players on the field and in their lives after graduation were at the core of his approach to the sport.”

Twenty-eight of Albies’ charges were lauded as All-Americans by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), and 31 Pioneers went on to play professionally, including former New York Yankee Dan Pasqua (’82) and former Baltimore Oriole Bruce Dostal (’88). Six NJAC Players of the Year, five Pitchers of the Year and three Rookies of the Year benefited from Albies’ instruction, while seven different Pioneers were named the New Jersey College Baseball Association (NJCBA) Division II/III Player of the Year and five earned the organization’s Pitcher of the Year award. In all, 19 of his former players have already been enshrined in the William Paterson University Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame.

“It was a privilege and an honor to work at William Paterson for 33 years,” said Albies. “I made some great friendships and worked with many outstanding young men, many of whom I can still call my friends. I was very fortunate to have spent so much time with so many great people. I truly cherished the run. There were so many great moments and so many things to be proud of that I cannot believe the time went so quickly.”

A member of both the ABCA and the William Paterson University Alumni Association Athletic Halls of Fame, the 26-time Coach of the Year honoree finishes his career ranked eighth overall and sixth among active Division III coaches in victories (862), and 21st overall and 20^th among active coaches in winning percentage (.680). The only New Jersey Division III coach to earn 850 career victories, he is one of just three Garden State college baseball coaches to reach that milestone (Mike Sheppard, Seton Hall, 1973-2003, 998-540-11; Fred Hill, Sr., Montclair State/Rutgers, 1977-present, 935-578-8).

“Jeff Albies’ accomplishments speak for themselves,” said Sabrina Grant, William Paterson Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “He has brought national acclaim to the athletic department, and to William Paterson University as a whole. He is a humble individual who has set a standard of excellence for all of our other intercollegiate athletic programs to emulate.”

Two of the greatest seasons in Pioneer athletic history came in the springs of 1992 and 1996, when William Paterson reached the pinnacle of Division III baseball. Both title-game victories came in dramatic fashion, thanks to game-winning, ninth-inning home runs against California Lutheran (3-1 in 1992, 6-5 in 1996).

Albies’ passion for the game extended off the field, where he served as the national baseball chairperson of the NCAA Division III Championship and Mid-Atlantic Region committees. In addition, he served on the NCAA Division III All-America, NCAA Selection and Legislative Action, and ABCA committees. He also coached in the prestigious Cape Cod League that showcases the nation’s top college players each summer.

Prior to his coaching career, Albies played second base in the Atlanta Braves’ organization from 1965-68 before playing professionally in Canada from 1969-70. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education at Long Island University in 1968, a master’s in health and physical education at Hunter College in 1972, and an administration and supervisory certificate from Fordham University in 1975.